Post-and-rail connection for metallic bedsteads



` (No Model.)

F. M. 'I'INKHA-M`l` POST AND RAIL CONNECTION FOR METALLIC BBDSTEADS. N0. 565,709.A

Patented Aug.- 1, 1.896..

UNITED STATES ATENT @Il FFICEy FRANCIS M. TINKHAM, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 565,709, dated August 11, 1896.

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Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. TINKHAM, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented new and useful Improvements in Post-and- Rail Connections for Metallic Bedsteads, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to rail-and-post connections for iron and other bedsteads and analogous constructions, the object being to provide improved connections for said purposes as to strength, economy of construction, durability, and convenience in connecting the parts; and the invention consists in the peculiar construction and arrangement of the said connecting parts, all as hereinafter fully described, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings forming part of this speciiication, Figure 1 is aperspective view of parts of a post and a side and an end rail of a, bedstead provided with connecting mechanism embodying my improvements. Figs. 2 and 3 are side elevations of details of Fig. l, partly in section, and are hereinafter described. Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in section, of certain of the parts shown in Fig. 1, parts of the last-named gure being there indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one end of a wooden rail having certain of my improvements applied thereto.

In the drawings, A indicates a post, and B one of the side rails, of a bedstead or similar structure. An end rail of said structure is indicated by C, and D indicates a part of a wire mattress connected to said rail C. Said post A and rails B and C are preferably of. wrought-iron tubing.

The means for connecting the end of the side rail B, Figs. l and 2, and J, Fig. 6, to the post A, and firmly securing the same in such position as is shown in Fig. V1, consist of the below-named parts. The said side rails B and J, the former of iron tubing and the latter of wood, are each provided with connections for post A, according to their different requirements, as follows: The post A is provided with the metallic block E, which is rigidly fixed on said post, preferably by casting the same thereon. Said block E has the upstanding horizontal lip 3 on its upper edge, and directly beneath said lip and in line therewith,at the lower edge of said block, is the beveled border 4. removed from the adjoining side of post A to allow a part of an overhan ging rail-support to hook onto and be retained thereon. A screw-bolt 5 is fixed by one end in the side of block A, and on its projecting end isa thumb or other nut 9. The rail hook or connection F, by which the side rail .I or B is connected to block E, contains on its upper end the hook portion 6, which engages with said lip 3 of block E, as shown, and the beveled hook portion 7, which engages with said beveled edge 4 of block E. T he lower end of said hook F has the slot 8 therein, through which projects said bolt 5. When said rail hook F is to be attached to the block E, the nut 9 is screwed outwardly toward the extremity of bolt 5, so that the lower beveled end 4 of said block may be easily brought opposite said beveled border 4 of block E. Then by screwing nut 9 against the lower end of hook F the latter is drawn more or less downwardly against the lip 3 of said block E, and said beveled hook portion 7 of said hook F becomes rigidly engaged withsaid border 4 of block E, and the said post and rail parts are firmly secured one to the other, and the hook F must so remain while nut 9 remains so screwed against the lower end of said hook.

By means of the beveled parts, should the screw become loosened, the rail-hook cannot rise upon the post-block, as it would otherwise do when a slight upward pressure is applied to the rail. When the bedstead is set up, it sometimes happens that the engaging hook parts of the rail and post-block do not fullyV engage, and then by screwing up the nut against the rail connection the beveled parts will be forced together, and thereby draw the hook parts into perfect connection, These beveled portions also act as braces to help strengthen the parts and keep them from rattling.

To adapt the hook connection F to be used on the end of a wooden rail J, Fig. G, said hook is made of wrought-iron, preferably, with two ears l0 10 thereon, between which the end of said rail J enters, and the latter has said connection F firmly secured thereto The said lip 3 is sufficiently Y IOO by screws passing through said lips into the inclosed end ofthe rail. When said rail hook or connection is to be used with iron side and end rails B and C, as shown in Figs. l, 4, and 5, it is provided with an integral arm K for supporting the end of said side rail, and with a hook P on its upper end. The end rail C has the wire mattress D secured thereto by a metal bar w, secured by screws to said rail C, and the end of said mattress is clamped and held between said bar and rail'. Any strain on said mattress tends to bring the edge of said bar w against the end of said hook P, whereby the mattress is then firmly held in proper tension. By the use of said block E, made as described, having the bolt 5 and nut 9, and the rail-hook F, having the hooks (5 and 7 and the slotted end for engagement with said bolt and nut, convenient means are provided at moderate cost for quickly and rigidly connecting said post and rails, and such as are not likely to become loose or disconnected.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. Post-and-rail connections for bedsteads and analogous purposes, consisting of a block for permanent attachment to said post having an upstanding lip on its upper extremity, a beveled border 4, on its opposite or lower extremity, combined with a rail-hook having a hook on its upper and on its lower end for engagement respectively with said lip, and with said beveled border, and a bolt and nut retaining said block and hook in close engagement, substantially as set forth.

2. Post-and-rail connections for bedsteads and analogous purposes, consisting of a block for permanent attachment to said post having an upstanding lip on its upper extremity, a beveled border 4, on its opposite or lower extremity, a locking-bolt iXed thereto and projecting at right angles to, and between said lip and beveled border, and a nut on said bolt, combined with a rail-hook F, having a slot through which said bolt extends, and the hooks 6 and 7, thereon, for engagement, respectively, with said lip and beveled border, substantially as set forth.

FRANCIS M. TINKHAM.

Vitne'sses:

H. A. CHAPIN, f WM. H. CHAPIN. 

